PNP: Lunar New Year fest relatively peaceful

MANILA, Philippines — Festivities held for the three-day Lunar New Year yesterday were relatively peaceful, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s chief publicist, said there was no untoward incident in the celebrations held at Chinatown in Manila’s Binondo district.

Fajardo said around 20,000 people watched the fireworks display at the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge on Friday night.

A parade was also held from the Central Post Office in Lawton up to Reina Regente street fronting Lucky Chinatown Mall, Fajardo said in Quezon City.

The Manila Police District (MPD) said at least 50,000 people have so far attended the activities in the city.

The celebration of Lunar New Year activities in Quezon City was also peaceful, the local police said. Most of the area where the festivities were held are under the jurisdiction of the La Loma police station.

The PNP earlier said at least 1,457 police officers are securing the activities to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals. Of this number, 200 are in Quezon City.